QUEER(ING) ONOMASTICS: NAMES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF NONNORMATIVE GENDERS AND SEXUALITIES IN SELECTED SHORT STORIES IN QUEER AFRICA: NEW AND COLLECTED FICTION (original) (raw)

This analysis explores the intersection of names, gender, and sexual identities in selected short stories from the anthology "Queer Africa: New and Collected Fiction." It examines how naming practices reflect and challenge societal norms regarding non-normative sexualities, particularly within the context of contemporary Africa, where such identities often face substantial socio-political opposition. The study posits that names serve as critical markers that not only identify individuals but also carry connotations that engage with broader themes of gender and sexuality, thus opening spaces for alternative expressions against the backdrop of prevailing homophobia and heteronormativity.